Ceiling Zero

Play trailer

Ceiling Zero

1935

1h 35m

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Former World War I aviator Jake Lee (Pat O'Brien) runs the Newark branch of an air freight company, with his fellow ace Tex Clarke (Stuart Erwin) as his best pilot. When their hot-dogging friend Dizzy Davis (James Cagney) comes looking for a job, Jake hires him despite warnings about Dizzy's brash and potentially dangerous ways. When Dizzy's attraction to tomboyish teenage greenhorn pilot "Tommy" Thomas (June Travis) jeopardizes another pilot's safety, it's up to him to try to save the day.

Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

In a sense this film is the kind of thing the movies do best; in another sense it is the sort of thing they seldom do at all. It has dash, vigor, the fascination of strange, deep and meaningful devices; but it carries a sting.

May 23, 2024

Full Review

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

The overlapping, speeding dialogue is perfectly launched, as Hawks cuts to the core of the play with his own meditations on personality and responsibility.

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

Cagney, as the last of the conceited roughnecks, turns in one of his real characterizations. Within the Cagney-Pat O'Brien pals-and-a-gal formula, the producers have managed to achieve a fresh and spirited film.

Apr 20, 2020

Full Review

Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

The action is superb, the characterization, especially in the case of James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, is sharp and believable.

Sep 25, 2019

Full Review

Nathanael Hood

The Retro Set

Cagney and Travis have a bubbly, magnetic attraction.

Rated: 6/10

Dec 28, 2018

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

An entertaining adventure story of an irresponsible but great civil airline pilot.

Rated: B

Oct 14, 2014

Full Review

Read all reviews

Steve D

Depressing and not much else.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

Full Review

Audience Member

A pleasant adaptation of a theater play but it fails to offer the larger scope movies make possible. Over all the film lacks interest (I couldn't care less about the characters) and this sense of liberty that comes with an aeroplane.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Howard Hawks

Director

James Cagney

Dizzy Davis

Pat O'Brien

Jake L. Lee

June Travis

Tommy Thomas

Stu Erwin

Texas Clarke

Barton MacLane

Al Stone

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Empire of the Sun

77%

90%

Empire of the Sun

Watchlist

Rough Magic

25%

40%

Rough Magic

Watchlist

The Big Brawl

67%

44%

The Big Brawl

Watchlist

Ring of Bright Water

80%

86%

Ring of Bright Water

Watchlist

The Count of Monte Cristo

73%

88%

The Count of Monte Cristo

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Former World War I aviator Jake Lee (Pat O'Brien) runs the Newark branch of an air freight company, with his fellow ace Tex Clarke (Stuart Erwin) as his best pilot. When their hot-dogging friend Dizzy Davis (James Cagney) comes looking for a job, Jake hires him despite warnings about Dizzy's brash and potentially dangerous ways. When Dizzy's attraction to tomboyish teenage greenhorn pilot "Tommy" Thomas (June Travis) jeopardizes another pilot's safety, it's up to him to try to save the day.

Director: Howard Hawks
Producer: Hal B. Wallis, Jack L. Warner
Screenwriter: Frank Wead
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 35m